Sports & Recreation
Golf Guide-14
A very basic principle in the game of golf should be to “keep it simple.” Regardless of whether something is being taught or being learned, this principle should always apply.
The golf swing for the most part is a relatively simple task to perform. I know this statement is going to get an argument from many golfers because they feel the golf swing is anything but simple. Each swing is a challenge to their concentration level because they are trying to think about so many things, and this is what makes a basic task become increasingly complicated.
I once heard a touring professional make the statement that golf is a simple game played by complicated people. What a great analogy of the game this is.
Keep in mind it is not the basic elements comprising the swing itself that are difficult; rather, what complicates the swing is when golfers introduce their own idiosyncrasies. Examples of this are swinging the club out-to-in, picking it up too quickly starting the take-away, swinging too fast, and coming over the top on the down swing.
As these flaws appear and grow more prevalent, the swing becomes increasingly complicated and a vicious swing cycle evolves. The task is anything but simple and easy to execute. Eliminate these kinds of unwanted extras, and the swing gets back to being very basic in nature and not that difficult to execute.
Consider the analogy of hitting a baseball. What would be going through your mind in this process? Probably nothing, as you would basically rely on instinct as you swing. You would not complicate the process by thinking about what to do. You would just swing. This is about as simple as you could keep it.
The golf swing should happen in much the same way. But many golfers don’t allow themselves the opportunity to experience what could — and should — be a much simpler and less frustrating occurrence. This is because they have convinced themselves the golf swing just can’t be that simple. There are just too many things to think about to allow it to be simple.
Let me suggest trying this approach. First, it should be remembered that the elapsed time during a golf swing is very brief, just slightly more than one second. Considering this fact and the speed at which the club is traveling, it is extremely difficult to mentally process different swing thoughts at the same time. Unless you are a very gifted individual, this just isn’t going to happen. Most of what you are trying to concentrate on is going to get lost in the process.
I have always been of the firm belief that the execution of the golf swing should follow what I call the “kiss” theory — “keep it simple, stupid.” Any endeavor that is undertaken is made easier if the process followed in its execution is kept simple.
Stop trying to focus on so many things. Instead, focus on a single swing thought, and only this thought, nothing more. Then go ahead and just let your swing happen, and try to forget about results in the process.
I know this may sound contradictory since results are of such importance, but by focusing on what you are trying to do and not results, the results often take care of themselves. I can assure you that once you can discipline yourself to committing to this approach, you will untangle what you think is complicated. I have been teaching this concept for many years, and have seen it work repeatedly with golfers of all skill levels.
Try it. What have you got to lose that you are not already losing?
Golf Guide-14
A very basic principle in the game of golf should be to “keep it simple.” Regardless of whether something is being taught or being learned, this principle should always apply.
The golf swing for the most part is a relatively simple task to perform. I know this statement is going to get an argument from many golfers because they feel the golf swing is anything but simple. Each swing is a challenge to their concentration level because they are trying to think about so many things, and this is what makes a basic task become increasingly complicated.
I once heard a touring professional make the statement that golf is a simple game played by complicated people. What a great analogy of the game this is.
Keep in mind it is not the basic elements comprising the swing itself that are difficult; rather, what complicates the swing is when golfers introduce their own idiosyncrasies. Examples of this are swinging the club out-to-in, picking it up too quickly starting the take-away, swinging too fast, and coming over the top on the down swing.
As these flaws appear and grow more prevalent, the swing becomes increasingly complicated and a vicious swing cycle evolves. The task is anything but simple and easy to execute. Eliminate these kinds of unwanted extras, and the swing gets back to being very basic in nature and not that difficult to execute.
Consider the analogy of hitting a baseball. What would be going through your mind in this process? Probably nothing, as you would basically rely on instinct as you swing. You would not complicate the process by thinking about what to do. You would just swing. This is about as simple as you could keep it.
The golf swing should happen in much the same way. But many golfers don’t allow themselves the opportunity to experience what could — and should — be a much simpler and less frustrating occurrence. This is because they have convinced themselves the golf swing just can’t be that simple. There are just too many things to think about to allow it to be simple.
Let me suggest trying this approach. First, it should be remembered that the elapsed time during a golf swing is very brief, just slightly more than one second. Considering this fact and the speed at which the club is traveling, it is extremely difficult to mentally process different swing thoughts at the same time. Unless you are a very gifted individual, this just isn’t going to happen. Most of what you are trying to concentrate on is going to get lost in the process.
I have always been of the firm belief that the execution of the golf swing should follow what I call the “kiss” theory — “keep it simple, stupid.” Any endeavor that is undertaken is made easier if the process followed in its execution is kept simple.
Stop trying to focus on so many things. Instead, focus on a single swing thought, and only this thought, nothing more. Then go ahead and just let your swing happen, and try to forget about results in the process.
I know this may sound contradictory since results are of such importance, but by focusing on what you are trying to do and not results, the results often take care of themselves. I can assure you that once you can discipline yourself to committing to this approach, you will untangle what you think is complicated. I have been teaching this concept for many years, and have seen it work repeatedly with golfers of all skill levels.
Try it. What have you got to lose that you are not already losing?
If you want to improve your game, Bob Gates may be contacted at (708) 425-8637.
About the Author:
Bob Gates is a golf instructor at
Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range
in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Bob Gates is a golf instructor at
Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range
in Oak Lawn, Illinois.